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The best panini in Toronto are a source of much pride, especially with such a large and influential Italian population. The perfect warm combo of bread and a filling of spicy meat and/or veggies, often topped with gooey, stretchy cheese, these panini won’t have you saying “stop the presses.”

Here is where to go for the best panini in Toronto.

1

Fusaro's Kitchen

With locations on Spadina and Richmond East, this lunch favourite caters to hordes of hungry workers, offering ten panini between $10 and $12. A side mista comes with your choice of veal parmigian, chicken parmigian, tuna, prosciutto, or zucchini and eggplant.

2

Vinny's Panini

Huddled away on Dupont, this place is synonymous with Toronto sandwiches. All panini are $8 and all toppings are $1.25. Breaded chicken or veal are go-to's with hot peppers, steak is delicious with extra mushrooms, and eggplant really pulls its weight for a veggie option.

3

Speducci Mercatto

Available for $8.50 - $9 near the Castlefield Design District, the panini at this mercatto and cafe by Chef Gabriele Paganelli come in options like veal parmesan, chicken parmesan, grilled steak, grilled lamb or porchetta.

4

Mangia & Bevi

This low-key King East Italian fave serves panini for lunch only. Sandwiches range from the “Semplice” ($8.50) with salami, provolone and salsa rosa to the “Senatore” with grilled chicken, brie, arugula, and sundried tomato pesto ($11).

5

Mattachioni

This charming Junction Triangle restaurant serves up casual Italian fare. Their House cured bresaola ($13) and porchetta ($9) show they’re not fooling around with panini though.

6

Solita

Standing for “South of Little Italy,” this grocery store and cafe on Dundas West serves cheese or nutella panini for $4, or more substantial options like tuna melt, caprese, or meatball panini for $11.

7

Nook

This subterranean cafe on King West has eight chicken panini, three different turkey panini and a spicy hot fish panini. All can be had for a very economical $6.99.

8

Dante's Inferno Paninoteca

Served on big, puffy rolls, the panini at this teeny Davenport cafe is putting out big flavours with options like fatty pork belly with house balsamic dressing and ultra-crunchable meaty breaded pork cutlet with juicy caramelized onions (both $8.63).

9

Cafe Fiorentina

This Danforth destination serves a divine smoked cheddar panino on their locally famous sourdough for ten bucks, and a rotating list of other delicious sammies that could be filled with beef heart, fried smelts or prawn salad.